Funkin’ in the New Year with Average White Band

Average White Band (AWB), one of my favorite funk bands, played in Pittsburgh for New Year’s Eve as a part of the First Night Events. AWB is a funk r&b band from Scotland who had big hits in the seventies and eighties, and can still jam it live. They played from 10:45 to 11:58 PM  on the Highmark Stage on Penn Ave, and then played two more songs as an encore after midnight. I was psyched because I had not realized they were going to be playing in my town until that evening, but there was a die hard AWB fan who came from the Jersey shore, specifically to see AWB play for New Year’s Eve. Video Coming soon

Get Ready for Rare Earth!

August 9th, the first official day for the new Rivers Casino on the North Shore of Pittsburgh, PA, will conclude with a concert by Rare Earth at 8:30PM.  Rare Earth was the first band signed by Motown of all white guys that had big hits. Classified as MoTown, Funk, and Blue-eyed soul, Rare Earth is perhaps best known for their remake of “Get Ready,”  by the Temptations. The current band roster consists of Gil Bridges, Ray Monette, Randy “Bird” Burghdoff, Mike Bruner, and Floyd Stokes. Some good old school music, check it out!

The Weekend in the 412

Fri. Jul. 31

Barella’s Lounge – Spider Rondinelli & The Pittsburgh Jazz Giants. Fridays.
1101 Rt. 885, Jefferson Hills, 412-384-7978.

Carhops @ Fleetwood Grille – Souled Out. Fridays.
2500 W. Liberty Ave., Dormont, 412-561-5015.

Cefalo’s Restaurant & Nightclub – Dr. Zoot. Fri., July 31.
428 Washington Ave, Carnegie, 412-276-6600, http://www.clubcefalo.com.

Comfort Inn – WitchDoctors. Fri., July 31.
699 Rodi Road, Penn Hills, 412-244-1600, http://www.comfortinnpittsburgh.com.

Hey Andy’s – Lacey Kazior, Ruffhouse. Fri., July 31. 724-531-9999.
1221 W. Main St., Monongahela, 724-258-4755.

La Casa Narcisi – Erin Burkett w/ Virgil Walters & John D’Amico. Fri., July 31.
4578 Gibsonia Rd., Gibsonia, 724-444-4744, http://www.narcisiwinery.com/.

Large Hotel – Jimmy Adler Band. Fri., July 31.
5100 Oak Road, Clairton, 724-384-9950.

Little E’s – Ahveekhy. Happy hour show. Fri., July 31.
Kevin Howard Trio. Fri., July 31.
949 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh (Downtown), 412-392-2217.

Melange Bistro – Roger Barbour Jazz Quartet. Fridays.
Kenny Blake. Fridays.
135 Sixth St., Pittsburgh (Downtown), 412-325-4310

Omni William Penn – Harry Cardillo. Thursdays, Fridays.
530 William Penn Pl., Pittsburgh (Downtown), 412-553-5235, http://www.omnihotels.com.

Pangea Shadyside – Live Jazz. Guest performances. Fridays.
736 Bellafonte St., Pittsburgh (Shadyside), 412-621-3152.

The Pioneer Grille – The Dan Baker Trio. Fridays, Saturdays.
The George Washington Hotel , 60 S. Main St., Washington, 724-225-3200.

Pittsburgh Elks Lodge #11 – Strange Brew. Fri., July 31.
5800 Buttermilk Hollow Rd., Pittsburgh (Lincoln Place), 412-461-3322, http://www.elks11.org.

Rhythm House Cafe – No Bad Juju. Fri., July 31.
3026 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, 412-221-5010, http://www.rhythmhousecafe.com.

South Park Amphitheater – Lao Tizer Band. Fri., July 31. 412-835-4810.
Brownsville Rd. & McCorkle Rd., South Park.

Waterfront Town Center – Mark Ferrari Duo. July 31-Aug. 1.
149 West Bridge St., Pittsburgh (Homestead), 412-476-8889, http://www.waterfrontpgh.com.

Wicked Witches – Ms. Freddye & Blue Faze. Fri., July 31.
919 Freeport, Cheswick, 724-275-7202.

Sat. Aug. 1

April’s On the Ave – Jazz Surgery Feat. Tony Campbell. Saturdays.
7101 Frankstown Ave., Pittsburgh (Homewood), 412-731-1630.

Barella’s Lounge – Spider Rondinelli & The Pittsburgh Jazz Giants. Saturdays.
1101 Rt. 885, Jefferson Hills, 412-384-7978.

The Inn’Termission – Chizmo Charles & The Rhythm Aces. Saturdays.
1908 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh (South Side), 412-381-3497.

Johnny’s – Etta Cox & Al Dowe Band. Sat., Aug. 1.
112 Westinghouse Ave., Wilmerding, 412-824-6642.

Little E’s – Jared Wilson & the Vibe. Sat., Aug. 1.
949 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh (Downtown), 412-392-2217.

The Pioneer Grille – The Dan Baker Trio. Fridays, Saturdays.
The George Washington Hotel , 60 S. Main St., Washington, 724-225-3200.

Waterfront Town Center – Mark Ferrari Duo. July 31-Aug. 1.
149 West Bridge St., Pittsburgh (Homestead), 412-476-8889, http://www.waterfrontpgh.com.

Wightman School – Swing City. Hosted by Bobby D. Saturdays. 412-759-1569.
5604 Solway, Pittsburgh (Squirrel Hill), 412-421-5708.

Club 46 – Clairton VFD – Strange Brew. Sat., Aug. 1.
307 Division Ave, Clairton, 412-233-7302.

Dante’s Restaurant & Lounge – Jimmy Adler Band. Sat., Aug. 1.
4131 Brownsville Rd., Pittsburgh (Brentwood), 412-884-4001.

Sun. Aug. 2

The Carrick Inn – Jaminators Blues Rock Band feat. Warren King. Sun., Aug. 2.
1144 Brownsville Rd., Carrick, 412-884-9939.

Carson City Saloon – Carson City Gang feat. Chizmo Charles. Sundays.
1401 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh (South Side), 412-481-3203, http://www.carsoncitysaloon.com/.

The Inn’Termission – Dying Breed, Warren King. Sundays. 412-576-1767.
1908 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh (South Side), 412-381-3497.

Inner-City Sanctuary – Live jazz, jam sessions, poetry and and art exhibit. Presented by The Cultural Waypoint Committee. First Sunday of every month. 412-371-1467.
7237 Kelly Street, Pittsburgh (Homewood).

Lambro’s Lounge – East End Dukes. Sundays.
1802 E. Ohio St., Pittsburgh (Strip District), 412-231-7699.

Moraine State Park – Sweaty Betty Blues Band. Moraine Regatta. Sun., Aug. 2. 724-368-9699.
225 Pleasant Valley Rd., Butler, 724-368-8811, http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateParks/parks/moraine.aspx.

Omni William Penn – Harry Cardillo. Sundays.
530 William Penn Pl., Pittsburgh (Downtown), 412-553-5235, http://www.omnihotels.com.

Paparazzi – Billy the Kid & the Regulators. Sundays.
2100 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh (South Side), 412-488-0800.

Rhythm House Cafe – Maureen Budway. Sun., Aug. 2.
3026 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, 412-221-5010, http://www.rhythmhousecafe.com.

Schenley Park Visitor Center – Trop Rock. Sun., Aug. 2. 412-682-7275, http://www.pittsburghparks.org.
101 Panther Hollow Rd, Pittsburgh (Oakland), 412-687-1800.

Tusca Global Tapas – Sunday Jazz Brunch. Sundays.
Southside Works, 2773 Sidney St., Pittsburgh (South Side), 412-488-9000.

This Weekend in the 412

Blues/R&B

Thu. Jul. 16

Atria’s Restaurant & Tavern – Soul Merchants. Thu., July 16.
PNC Park, 103 Federal St., Pittsburgh (North Side), 412-322-1850.

Jacktown Ride and Hunt Club – The Usual Suspects. W/ weekly special guests. Thursdays.
11369 Center Hwy., North Huntingdon, 724-863-8151.

Sloppy Joe’s – Wil E Tri and the Bluescasters. Thursdays.
217 Shiloh St., Pittsburgh (Mt. Washington), 412-381-4300.

Sunseri’s – The Contenders. Thursdays.
3385 Babcock Boulevard, Ross, 412-364-9902.

Fri. Jul. 17

Atrias Restaurant & Tavern – Soul Merchants. Fri., July 17.
12980 Perry Highway, Wexford, 724-934-3660.

Carhops @ Fleetwood Grille – Souled Out. Fridays.
2500 W. Liberty Ave., Dormont, 412-561-5015.

Cefalo’s Restaurant & Nightclub – Gary Belloma & the Blue Bombers. Fri., July 17.
428 Washington Ave, Carnegie, 412-276-6600, http://www.clubcefalo.com.

Inn the Ruff – WitchDoctors. Fri., July 17.
6229 Saltsburg Rd., Penn Hills, 412-793-9779.

Little E’s – The Blues Orphans. Fri., July 17.
949 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh (Downtown), 412-392-2217.

Sat. Jul. 18

CJ’s – The New Show Band. Sat., July 18.
2901 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh (Strip District), 412-642-2377.

d’Vine Wine Bar & Lounge – Sweaty Betty Blues Band. Sat., July 18.
12017 Perry Hwy., Wexford, 724-933-5533, http://www.dvinewinepa.com.

Heinz Hall – Maxwell. Sat., July 18.
600 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh (Downtown), 412-392-4900, http://www.pgharts.org.

The Inn’Termission – Chizmo Charles & The Rhythm Aces. Saturdays.
1908 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh (South Side), 412-381-3497.

Moondog’s – Flockery Blue, Freeport Road Gang. Sat., July 18.
378 Freeport Road, Blawnox, 412-828-2040, http://www.moondogs.us/.

Sun. Jul. 19

The Carrick Inn – The Jaminators Blues Rock Band w/ special guest Warren King.. Sun., July 19.

1144 Brownsville Rd., Carrick, 412-884-9939.

The Inn’Termission – Dying Breed, Warren King. Sundays. 412-576-1767.
1908 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh (South Side), 412-381-3497.

Lambro’s Lounge – East End Dukes. Sundays.
1802 E. Ohio St., Pittsburgh (Strip District), 412-231-7699.

Paparazzi – Billy the Kid & the Regulators. Sundays.
2100 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh (South Side), 412-488-0800.

Carson City Saloon – Carson City Gang feat. Chizmo Charles. Sundays.
1401 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh (South Side), 412-481-3203, http://www.carsoncitysaloon.com/.

Jazz

Thu. Jul. 16

Altman’s – Spider Rondinelli. Thursdays.
611 Old Clairton Road, Pleasant Hills, 412-653-6440.

Backstage Bar at Theater Square – Keith Stebler. Thu., July 16.
655 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh (Downtown), 412-325-6769, http://www.pgharts.org/venues/backstagebar.aspx.

Capri Ristorante – Tony Campbell & Jazz Surgery. Thursdays.
6001 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh (East Liberty), 412-362-1250.

Firehouse Lounge – Etta Cox Trio. Thursdays.
2216 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh (Strip District), 412-434-1230.

Little E’s – Jessica Lee. Thursdays.
949 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh (Downtown), 412-392-2217.

Omni William Penn – Harry Cardillo. Thursdays, Fridays.
530 William Penn Pl., Pittsburgh (Downtown), 412-553-5235, http://www.omnihotels.com.

Altman’s – Spider Rondinelli & The Pittsburgh Jazz Giants. Thursdays.
611 Old Clairton Road, Pleasant Hills, 412-653-6440.

Fri. Jul. 17

Barella’s Lounge – Spider Rondinelli & The Pittsburgh Jazz Giants. Fridays.
1101 Rt. 885, Jefferson Hills, 412-384-7978.

Gullifty’s – Etta Cox & Al Dowe Band. Fri., July 17.
1922 Murray Ave., Pittsburgh (Squirrel Hill), 412-521-8222, http://www.gulliftysrestaurant.com.

Melange Bistro – Roger Barbour Jazz Quartet. Fridays.
135 Sixth St., Pittsburgh (Downtown), 412-325-4310.

Pangea Shadyside – Live Jazz. Guest performances. Fridays.
736 Bellafonte St., Pittsburgh (Shadyside), 412-621-3152.

The Pioneer Grille – The Dan Baker Trio. Fridays, Saturdays.
The George Washington Hotel , 60 S. Main St., Washington, 724-225-3200.

Wolcott Park – New Orleans Riverside Band. Fri., July 17. 412-741-4405, www.sweetwaterartcenter.org.
Broad St. & Beaver St., Sewickley.

Omni William Penn – Harry Cardillo. Thursdays, Fridays.
530 William Penn Pl., Pittsburgh (Downtown), 412-553-5235, http://www.omnihotels.com.

Barella’s Lounge – Spider Rondinelli & The Pittsburgh Jazz Giants. Fridays.
1101 Rt. 885, Jefferson Hills, 412-384-7978.

Melange Bistro – Kenny Blake. Fridays.
135 Sixth St., Pittsburgh (Downtown), 412-325-4310.

Sat. Jul. 18

April’s On the Ave – Jazz Surgery Feat. Tony Campbell. Saturdays.
7101 Frankstown Ave., Pittsburgh (Homewood), 412-731-1630.

Barella’s Lounge – Spider Rondinelli & The Pittsburgh Jazz Giants. Fridays.
1101 Rt. 885, Jefferson Hills, 412-384-7978.

Boyce Park – Monroeville Jazz Festival. Feat. Rodney McCoy, Kenia, Roger Humphries Big Band. Wave pool north parking lot. Sat., July 18. 412-372-4332.
675 Old Frankstown Road, Monroeville, 724-327-0338, http://www.alleghenycounty.us/parks/bpfac.aspx.

The Pioneer Grille – The Dan Baker Trio. Fridays, Saturdays.
The George Washington Hotel , 60 S. Main St., Washington, 724-225-3200.

Barella’s Lounge – Spider Rondinelli & The Pittsburgh Jazz Giants. Saturdays.
1101 Rt. 885, Jefferson Hills, 412-384-7978.

Bethany Presbyterian Church – Philip Russell & Friends. Gospel jazz concert benefits church trip to Malawi. Sat., July 18.
740 Washington Ave., Bridgeville, 412-221-5132.

Sun. Jul. 19

Ligonier Diamond – Moonlighters Band. Sun., July 19.
Main St., Ligonier, 724-238-4200.

Mellon Park – Bach, Beethoven & Brunch. Ortner-Roberts Duo. Sun., July 19. 412-255-8975.
Fifth and Shady, Pittsburgh (Shadyside).

Rhythm House Cafe – Roger Humphries & R H Factor. Sun., July 19.
3026 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, 412-221-5010, http://www.rhythmhousecafe.com.

Help End Hunger With the Blues

While it’s not funk, funk has been influenced by blues, and vice versa in later years, so I thought I would share this upcoming event in Pittsburgh. I will be volunteering at the event to help out the Pittsburgh Food Bank. If you are interested in volunteering, go to www.pghblues.com/volunteer to see what positions are still available.Volunteers receive Free admission, Free Parking, $2.00 off coupon for merchandise, and a Complimentary meal.

tru.funk.soulja

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Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank’s largest annual fundraiser, the Pittsburgh Blues Festival, is celebrating its 15^th Anniversary this year with a stellar musical line-up and some new features. The Blues Festival, presented by First Commonwealth, will be held at Hartwood Acres for the 5^th year, thanks to a partnership with Allegheny County.

The list of performers exemplifies the usual mix of blues legends and up-and-comers. The Festival begins with Free Friday, sponsored by Fox 53 TV, FedEx Ground, WDVE and Hefren-Tillotson, when admission to the Festival is free with the donation of a bag of non-perishable groceries for the Food Bank (last year, more than 13 tons of food were donated). Friday’s bands are Eric Lindell, and Cyril Neville and Tribe 13. Lindell is known for an eclectic style of New Orleans blues, and Neville is one of the famous Neville Brothers.

Saturday’s headliner is the legendary Los Lobos. Over 35 years, Los Lobos has pushed the limits of blues, rock and folk with their own special blend of Latino instruments, probing lyrics, and can’t-sit-down rhythms. Other groups performing on Saturday include Shannon Curfman, Shawn Kellerman, and Curtis Salgado. Curfman, just 24, has already been known as a blues wunderkind for nearly 10 years. Reviewers call Kellerman a true blues guitar wizard, and Salgado is a veteran who has played with the likes of Muddy Waters, Robert Cray and Bonnie Raitt, and whose new release Clean Getaway was called “one of the best records you’re going to hear this year” by Blues Revue Magazine.

The Festival will close on Sunday with the “master bluesman and storyteller” Robert Cray. The five-time Grammy winner is still going strong after 25 years with the success of 2006’s Live from Across the Pond, recorded in London’s Albert Hall during his tour with Eric Clapton. Other Sunday performers include Deb Callahan and JJ Grey & Mofro. Callahan released her latest CD, Grace & Grit, just last year, and JJ Grey’s latest, Orange Blossoms, drew this review from Billboard Magazine: “The MOFRO vibe travels freely among swamp funk, blues, rock and soul, and does so with a certain down-and-dirty swagger that’s as real as it is appealing.”

“The Blues Festival is our largest annual fundraiser,” said Joyce Rothermel, CEO of the Food Bank, “but it is also the Food Bank’s way of honoring our community’s support by giving back a Festival of joy, celebration and America’s great music – the blues. We are so grateful to our sponsors and to our volunteers for making the Blues Festival possible.”

Interspersed with this line-up will be local blues bands, including Glenn Pavone & the Cyclones, Jill West & Blues Attack, Eugene & the Nightcrawlers, the Jimmy Adler Blues Band, Ron Yarosz & the Vehicle, and the local International Blues Challenge winners Felix & the Hurricanes.

One exciting new feature added to the Festival this year is called Blues in the Tents, an interactive kids’ music workshop series, sponsored by Fidelity Investments, which will be an extension of the popular KidZone. Added to the usual crafts and games for kids will be interactive music presentations by local blues musicians Bubs McKeg, Eugene Morgan, Bill Weiner, Bob and Andy Gabig, and Larry Nath. Another local bluesman, Jimmy Adler, is organizing the effort which will include age-appropriate story-telling, blues history, and sing-along.

The Pittsburgh Blues Festival takes place on July 24-26, 2009, at Hartwood Acres, Allegheny County’s park in Hampton Township. Tickets to the Festival on Saturday and Sunday are $25.00 each day. Advance ticket, weekend pass, and family fun pack discounts can be found on the Festival website, www.pghblues.com, with a schedule of events and more information.  Parking is free.

Admission for children under 12 is also free. The Blues Festival is family friendly, with children’s activities planned all weekend at the Festival’s KidZone, sponsored by UPMC Health Plan and Children’s Hospital, and supervised by experienced staff with Act 33/34 clearances.

The Pittsburgh Blues Festival reached the total fundraising milestone of $1 million last summer. Thanks to generous sponsorship, all money raised at the Blues Festival goes directly to support the Food Bank’s programs for helping the hungry. An estimated 300,000 people are at risk of hunger in southwestern Pennsylvania, the number estimated to be living below the federal poverty level (a 2007 pre-economic downturn statistic).

The Food Bank thanks all Blues Festival sponsors: First Commonwealth, UPMC Health Plan, Giant Eagle Express, Del Monte Foods, Hefren-Tillotson, David A. Tepper Family Foundation, Allegheny County, Fidelity Investments, Bay Valley Foods, Children’s Hospital of UPMC, WPXI-TV11, Grainger, FedEx Ground, WDVE, Comcast, Massaro Corporation, Coors, Coors Light, Blue Moon, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 91.3 wyep fm, Fox 53, Sodexo, Fiserv, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Armstrong Cable, KDKA-TV2, Moondog’s, GBL, Inc., White Diamond Vodka, Team Amcom, WTAE-TV4, U.S. Airways and Keller Williams Realty.

More information about the Pittsburgh Blues Festival can be found at the official Festival website www.pghblues.com, or by calling the Blues Hotline at 412-460-BLUE.

Funk This for Charity

Chaka Khan Pittsburgh Symphony Community Partners Concert Featuring CHAKA KHAN

Location: Heinz Hall Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 8:00 PM

Tickets: $21.50, $41.50, $51.50, $61.50, $112.50

Tickets on sale: Monday, March 2, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.

Lawrence Loh, conductor Chaka Khan, singer/songwriter Tony Rymer, cello The Community Partners Concert is an annual collaboration with local non-profit organizations. The PSO donates the orchestra services, and secures corporate sponsors to underwrite out-of-pocket costs associated with guest artist services and concert production. The proceeds from all ticket sales are donated to the charity designated by the buyer. Any undesignated purchases are used to defray costs and do not go to the charities, so please be sure to designate your charity of choice. 2009 Participating Nonprofit Community Partners/Codes 11752 African American Chamber of Commerce of Western PA 11753 Afrika Yetu, Inc 11754 Afro-American Music Institute 11755 Amachi Pittsburgh 11756 Arthritis Foundation of Western PA 11757 August Wilson Center for African American Culture 11758 Beginning with Books 12073 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh 11759 Cancer Caring Center 11760 Catholic Charities Diocese of Pittsburgh 11991 Chaka Khan Foundation 11761 Child Watch of Pittsburgh 11762 Communities in Schools 11763 Dress for Success Pittsburgh 11764 East End Cooperative Ministry 11765 Family Services of Western PA – Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers 11766 Focus on Renewal 11767 Gilda’s Club Western Pennsylvania 11768 Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank 11769 Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council 11770 Grow Pittsburgh 11771 Hill House Association, Inc 11772 Hilltop Health Ministries Consortium 11773 HIS Place Contact Center, Inc. 11774 Homeless Children’s Education Fund 11775 Josh Gibson Foundation 11776 Lupus Foundation of Pennsylvania 11777 Martin Luther King, Jr. Reading and Cultural Center 11778 Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh 11779 Naomi’s Place Transitional Housing, Inc. 11780 National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Allegheny District Chapter 11781 Neighborhood Legal Services Association 11782 Ohio Valley General Hospital Foundation 11783 Parental Stress Center 11784 Pittsburgh Family Focus, Inc 11785 Pittsburgh Habitat for Humanity 11787 Royal Tribe Music 11788 Salvation Army 11789 Sounds of Pittsburgh Chorus 11790 Southwinds, Inc. 11791 Thomas Merton Center 11792 Tickets for Kids Charities 11793 Transitional Services, Inc. 11794 Tuesday Music Club of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 11795 United Cerebral Palsy of Pittsburgh 11796 Urban Impact Foundation 11797 Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh 11798 Ursuline Senior Services 11799 West Penn Minority Jr. Golf Association 11800 Western PA Humane Society 11786 Western PA Minority Supplier Development Council 11801 Your Sister’s Project